Word Origin & History

caliber 1560s, "degree of merit or importance," from M.Fr. calibre (14c.), perhaps ultimately from Arabic qalib "a mold, last," perhaps from Gk. kalopodion "a shoemaker's last," lit. "little wooden foot," from kalon "wood" + podos gen. of pous "foot" (see foot). Arabic also used the word in the sense "mold for casting bullets," which is the original literal meaning in English, though the earliest cited sense is a figurative one. Meaning "inside diameter of a gun barrel" is attested from 1580s.

Example Sentences for caliber

Unfortunately, the caliber of the essays varies widely.

But we have a wealth of literary artists too, especially poets of high caliber.

The plexuses are often in two layers: a superficial and a deep, the superficial being of smaller caliber than the deep.

Eleven others were wounded with shots from weapons state police identified as a Ruger .44-caliber rifle and a 30.06 hunting rifle.

Especially in difficult situations, the caliber and integrity of these people will be key to your success and your happiness.

The buyer should first decide exactly what type or caliber of rifle will be suitable to his needs.

Alvarez refused to hand over her $80, so Damien shot her in the head with a .22-caliber pistol.

Why a biographer of Gordon's caliber has recklessly sensationalized an already astonishing story is puzzling.

You need to show that you are already at their caliber of research and grant abilities to make the cut.

The enemy had generally new arms which had run the blockade and were of uniform caliber.